System and method for call routing and paging across different types of networks

ABSTRACT

A network architecture uses an Application Server Autonomous Access (ASAA) server which allows paging and call routing across different types of wireless and wireline access networks. The ASAA. server provides connectivity between am external voice or data network and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), The external voice or data network may be a public switched, telephone network (PSTN) or a public data network (PDN), so that the connectivity between, the external network and the WTRU is provided through the access networks using data from the ASAA server.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/931,117, filed Aug. 3, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/583,708 filed on Jun. 20, 2004, each ofwhich is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to networking architecture and wirelessnetworking architecture. In particular the invention relates to the useof multiple network systems for communication services.

BACKGROUND

Current wireless technology allows a user to be paged for an incomingcall, and for the call to be routed to the user's wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU), within the domain of a single wirelessaccess network. However, support of paging and call routing betweendifferent access technologies (e.g., 2G/3G wireless networks, CDMA 2000networks, WLAN/Bluetooth networks) is not provided for with currentmechanisms. A mechanism is desired whereby “application, level” pagingand call routing is possible across heterogeneous access networks,allowing a WTRU to roam between these networks and seamlessly receivecalls via the currently connected access network.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, an architecture for providingnetwork services includes an Application Server Autonomous Access (ASAA)server which connects to a WTRU through at least a. subset of theplurality of external voice and/or data communication networks. TheASAA. server is responsive to received messages from the plurality ofnetworks, such that a response to a paging request from a particularWTRU and received from one of the networks provides an indication ofconnectivity of the WTRU through said one of the networks. Acommunication is established between the network and the WTRU throughnetwork routing which includes said one of the networks in response tothe received response to the paging request.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, wirelesstelecommunication services are provided to at least one WTRU byidentifying at least a plurality of wireless access networks capable ofproviding wireless links to the WTRU. A server is capable ofcommunicating with a plurality of the wireless access networks anddetermines a status of the WTRU in the sense of an ability to establisha radio link with one or more of the wireless access networks. Theserver establishes a server communication link a wireless accessnetworks with which the WTRU has an ability to establish a radio linkand uses the communication link to establish communication between theWTRU. The server communication link is then used to establishcommunication between the WTRU and a further destination through one ofthe access networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary relationship betweenan ASAA server network services and a WTRU according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between a WTRU, an ASAAserver and access networks.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the functionality of one embodiment of

the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the functionality of an embodiment inwhich communications are initiated without prior establishment of anASAA association with a WTRU.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the terminology “wireless transmit/receive unit” (WTRU)includes but is not limited to a user equipment mobile station, fixed ormobile subscriber unit, pager, or any other type of device capable ofoperating in a wireless environment. The terminology “base station”includes but is not limited to a Node B, site controller, access pointor any other type of interlacing device in a wireless environment. An“access point” (AP) is a station, or device which provides a wirelessaccess for devices to establish, a wireless connection with a IAN, andestablishes a part of a wireless LAN (WLAN). If the AP is a fixed,device on a WLAN, the AP is a station which transmits and receives data.The AP permits connection of a WTRU to a network, provided that the WLANitself has a connection, to the network.

According to the present invention, command, execution and userinterface and paging and call routing is possible across heterogeneousaccess networks, allowing a user's wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)to roam between these networks and seamlessly receive calls via thecurrently connected, access network. These services are deemed to be“application level” functions in that they are not dependent on aparticular air interface. A system architecture allows paging and callrouting across different types of wireless and wireline access networks.The system architecture is defined as adaptable to an Application ServerAutonomous Access (ASAA) protocol and the protocol allows the paging andcall routing across the different types of networks. According to thepresent invention, the services would come from the server, called an“ASAA Server”. The individual networks would provide the wireless accessin different domains, e.g, residence, enterprise, hotspot, and similardomains. The user may he subscribed to the different wireless accessnetworks for access services, but also subscribe to consolidatedservices provisioning by the “ASAA operator”. Alternately, it ispossible that the subscriber has one subscription with the ASAAoperator, who pays access lees to the access operators. The handlingwithin the access networks is achieved in the manner by which thevarious networks currently handle access,

ASAA provides a services framework for providing consistent, seamlessservices to the user, as the user roams between different accessnetworks. The architecture allows the user to he reachable on incomingcalls as the user roams between these different networks. It also allowsthe user to receive a consistent set of services as he/she roams betweenthe access networks. The ASAA Server provides this serviceconsolidation.

As the WTRU roams between these networks, the WTRU can seamlesslyreceive calls via the currently connected access network. In thearchitecture and system concept, a server provides a Used point ofinterconnection to the external voice/data network as the WTRU movesbetween different access networks. Examples of an external voice/datanetwork are a pulse switched telephone network (PSTN) and a public datanetwork (PDN). The ASAA architecture permits communication services atan application level to be provided a server independently of wirelessconnection services, and across different connection networks, andfurther permits transfer of application services between differentconnection networks. The ASAA architecture further permits services o beprovided in a continuous manner with different WTRUs in the samecommunication session.

The ASAA architecture provides integration of network architecture suchthat different technology networks are interoperable with a wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU). Examples of diverse networks include:

-   -   third generation partnership program (3GPP) wideband code        division multiple access (W-CDMA) communication system, which is        an implementation of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System        (UMTS);    -   other wide-area public land mobile network (PLMN) systems;    -   private networks, such as those implemented through WLAN        systems, IEEE “802” systems and Bluetooth systems;    -   private small office/home office (SOHO) networks, also        implemented through WLAN systems, IEEE “802” systems and        Bluetooth systems; and    -   landline telephone network based, systems.

In accordance with the present invention, the ASAA server consolidateslocation, service and routing information for subscribed users. The ASAAserver routes calls and push services to the user's appropriate servingnetwork, based on policy profiles. Policy profiles include location,technology network capabilities, behavioural factors, tariff criteria,and other criteria relevant to routing calls. The ASAA server permitsuse of Internet protocol (IF) based technologies, such as sessioninitiation protocol (SIP), which supports technology convergence. Theuse of these standard protocols provide an ability for implementing ASAAarchitecture and services based on standard protocols such as IP andTCP/IP.

A WTRU configured, in accordance with the present invention, with anASAA application, will attempt to access the ASAA application server.This results in a registration action. Regular transmission of locationinformation between the WTRU and the ASAA server provides the ASAAserver with connection data. The ASAA protocol provides a consolidationof location, service and routing information for ASAA users acrossmultiple technology networks. This allows seamless mobility betweendifferent technology networks, using a common IP-based scheme.

An ASAA server provides identification of network services available tothe WTRU. When a call to the WTRU comes into the ASAA server, the ASAAserver issues pages to the WTRU, via all the possible underlying accessnetworks configured for the WTRU. The paging mechanism is IP-based, andfunctions at the application layer. The WTRU receives the paging requestvia the WTRU's current connected access network, and issues a pagingresponse via the connected access network back to the ASAA server. Thepaging response informs the ASAA server of the identity of the WTRUscurrent connected access network. The ASAA server then routes the queuedincoming call via that access network. This allows the user to beprovided with a continuous service experience, as the WTRU moves betweenaccess networks. The ASAA server can provide a uniform set ofsupplementary services to the WTRU, regardless of which access networkthe WTRU is connected. The paging mechanism is at an end-to-endapplication level, preferably IP-based.

This allows seamless mobility, a seamless transfer function, and theability to provide services which are transferable to differentnetworks, providing that the particular network can support at least thecommunication of the service. This allows the user's profile to beapplied across multiple networks, and allows the user to select servicesaccording to a single profile. Thus, if a particular service is free oroffered at a flat rate, the user can predetermine to only accept theservice according to the stated terms. Similarly, the use of the ASAAserver permits the consolidation of services, such as billing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network environment 11, showing anexemplary relationship between an ASAA server 12, network serviceentities and a WTRU 13 according to the present invention. Depicted inthe figure, in addition to the network environment 11 and the ASAAserver 12, is a public switched telephone network or public data network(PSTN/PDN) 14 and a public land mobile network (PLMN) 15.

The PLMN 15 includes a plurality of LANs 21-35, depicted as anentertainment store 21 at an airport location, an airport lounge 22, anoffice network 23, a coffee shop 24 offering WLAN services, and a homenetwork 25. The PLMN 16 also includes large area mobile services 28,which, in the example includes a 3G device 27 and a SIP device 28. Thelarge area mobile services 26 provide communication via WLAN, BT andUMTS. The LANs 21-25 and large area mobile services 26 form accessnetworks. Typical communications through the LANs 21-25 are according tothe IP protocol SIP protocol or other packet-switched protocols.Typically, suck communications use a common channel and are assignedbandwidth according to demand.

A plurality of ASAA application servers 41-43 are provided at variouslocations including at WLAN 23, home network 25 and the large areamobile services 26. These provide application services through theirrespective access networks 23, 25 and 26, but are also accessiblethrough other access networks.

The WTRU 13 is depicted and is able to communicate with various ones ofthe access networks 21-26. The ASAA server 12 is able to establish acommunication link with the WTRU 13 by connecting directly or indirectlyto individual ones of the networks 21-28 to which the WTRU 13 hasestablished a communication link. The services come from the ASAA serverin this architecture. The access networks provide access to the user andhence, calls and other interactions between the user and the ASAA serverare routed through the access network to which the user is connected.This enables the ASAA server 12 to function as a service platform inorder to deliver services to the user through the various ones of theaccess networks 21-26.

The WTRU 13 is able to communicate through various services as provided,via the WLAN 23, hut once connected, the ASAA server 12 can provideadministrative functions to either provide services directly through theASAA server 12, or request that services be routed between the variousaccess networks 21-26 to an access network connected to the WTRU 13. Theservices are provided by the ASAA server 12 in this architecture. Theaccess networks provide access to the WTRU 13, and hence calls and otherinteractions between the WTRU 13 and the ASAA server 12 are routedthrough the access network 21-26 to which the WTRU 13 is connected.

The ASAA server 12 also includes server function modules 61, 62. Theserver function modules 61, 62 provide administrative functions foroperating the ASAA server 12, and maintaining a database of locations ofthe WTRU 13 and availability of connections to the access networks21-26. The server function modules 81, 82 also provide applicationfunctions which can be executed by the WTRU through connections to theaccess networks 21-26.

The ASAA server 12 provides an anchored interface to the PSTN/PDN 14 forreceipt/transmission of call attempts, and routes incoming calls to theWTRU's serving access network based on the WTRU's location. In routingincoming calls, the ASAA server 12 pages all underlying possible servingaccess networks configured for the WTRU 13. The WTRU 13 responds with apaging response, routed through currently connected serving network. TheASAA server 12 then delivers incoming calls, via a serving accessnetwork to which the WTRU 13 is currently connected.

The WTRU 13 can also “force-route” incoming call through a specifiedserving access network by configuring the ASAA server 12 appropriately,with the identity of serving access network to route the call through toits destination. By specifying the access network, the WTRU 13 cancontrol which services are used.

This architecture broadens the traditional cellular paging and callrouting mechanisms to work across a range of access networks. In oneembodiment, an IP based application-level paging mechanism, whichoperates across a variety of access networks to help locate the WTRU 13issued.

One embodiment includes a provision, of a consolidated, interface, viathe ASAA server 12, to allow PSTN/PDN 14 receipt of calls. The ASAAserver 12 allows PSTN/PDN 14 receipt of calls to be effected through asingle anchor point. The effect is that, from the users standpoint,radio link services are provided by the particular radio links, which isthe users interface, can be either one of the local network 21-26 or theASAA sever 12. Thus as indicated by dashed line 69, the system shiftsthe network administration for the users services and the servicemanagement for the user upward from the individual access network 21-26to the ASAA server 12. The ASAA server 12 then becomes a virtual serverfrom the user's perspective. Network services are provided by theindividual access networks 21-26 for the radio link, and by the ASAAserver 12 for services provided to the user other than the radio link.If the operator of the ASAA server 12 is able to obtain wirelessservices as provided by the individual access networks 21-28, then theuser is able to make service subscription arrangements with the operatorof the ASAA server 12.

This architecture supports mobility of the WTRU 13 across multipleaccess networks, and helps locate the WTRU 13 seamlessly. The use of theASAA server 12 allows for user-configured routing of calls through agiven access network. This also provides a uniform set of supplementaryservices and features across multiple access networks, resulting in acontinuity of user's experience despite network changes. Thearchitecture also may provide a configuration for a uniform mechanismfor provision of push services to the WTRU 13 across multiple underlyingaccess networks.

The role of the ASAA server 12 providing an administrative functionconcerning routing of services to various access networks 12-26 makesthe ASAA server 12 able to maintain a common location for user profiles.The user can determine what services to use, and under which physicalcircumstances. Examples of parameters include call handling, selectionof services by type, selection of services by cost and cost structure,selection of services by network ownership, notification of availabilityof connections to services, user determined minimum quality of service(QOS), required bandwidth of services for a particular function. Callhandling profile selection functions can include voicemail, selectiveadmission of calls and “challenge” responses. In a similar manner, theASAA server 12 can also provide the voicemail and other data managementservices.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship, between a WTRU 81, an ASAAserver 83 and access networks 91-95, The WTRU includes circuitry forestablishing an RF link 87 and circuitry for processing data 88,although some of these functions are integrated circuit functions. TheWTRU 81 establishes a communications link with the ASAA server 83, butin general the service connection is between the WTRU 81 and one of theservice networks 91-95. Services may he communicated either through theASAA server 83 through, the service network in radio communication withthe WTRU 81. Alternatively, services may he communicated, from oneservice network to a service network which establishes a radio link withthe WTRU 81 without passing through the ASAA server 83. In the case ofASAA server supervised communications, communications which do not passthrough the ASAA server 83 or originate with the ASAA server 83 maystill be supervised by the ASAA server 33. Since the processingcircuitry 88 handles the data regardless of its source, the actualconnection to a particular service network 91 -95 can he transparent tothe user.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram 100 showing the functionality of one embodimentof the present invention. An ASAA association is established with a WTRUby the WTRU connecting with an access network (step 111) and providing acommunication to an ASAA server (step 112), thereby informing the serverof the availability of the WTRU (step 113). While it is not necessarythat the ASAA server be informed of the availability (step 113), thisfacilitates location of the WTRU should the ASAA server receive arequest to communicate with the WTRU.

The WTRU initiates a request for services (step 121) by communicatingthe request through the access network to the ASAA server (step 123).The ASAA server then responds by determining the preferred accessnetwork for establishment of the communication (step 128). The preferredaccess network is based on database input of the preferred services(step 127), cost of services and other variables (step 128) andresponses from access networks of the availability of a connection withthe WTRU (step 129). The ASAA then provides the services in the form ofservices offered through the ASAA server (step 131) or communicationprovided through the ASAA server (step 132). Alternatively, a connectionfor services can he effected directly through the access network (step135).

In response to an external request for communications, the ASAA serverissues a paging request to the WTRU (stop 141), which is communicatedthrough one or more access networks (step 142). In the event that theASAA server has identified the location of the WTRU (step 144), thispaging request can be limited to communication through one accessnetwork or a limited subset of access networks. A communication link isestablished between a WTRU and the access network (step 116), andbetween the access network and the ASAA server (step 147).

It is possible for the ASAA server to communicate with the WTRU withoutbeing informed a priori of the availability of the WTRU (step 113). FIG.4 is a flow diagram 200 showing the functionality of an embodiment ofthe present invention in which communications are initiated withoutprior establishment of an ASAA association with a WTRU. The WTRUconnects with an access network (step 211) and provides a request forcommunication through the access network to the ASAA server (step 213).The ASAA server then uses that communication to determine an initialconnection with the WTRU which has been established by the WTRU (step225) in the request for communication.

The ASAA server then responds by determining the preferred accessnetwork for establishment of the communication (step 226). The preferredaccess network is based on. database input of the preferred services(step 227), cost of services and other variables (step 228) andresponses from access networks of the availability of a connection withthe WTRU (step 229). The ASAA then provides the services in the form ofservices offered through the ASAA server (step 231) or communicationprovided through the ASAA server (step 232). Alternatively, a connectionfor services can be effected directly through the access network (stop235).

In response to an external request for communications, the ASAA serverissues a paging request to the WTRU (step 241), which is communicatedthrough one or more access networks (step 242). In the event that theASAA server has identified the location of the WTRU (step 244), thispaging request can be limited to communication through one accessnetwork or a limited subset of access networks. A communication link isestablished between a WTRU and the access network (step 246), andbetween the access network and the ASAA server (step 247).

Although the features and elements of the present invention aredescribed in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, eachfeature or element can be used alone (without the other features andelements of the preferred embodiments) or in various combinations withor without other features and elements of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An architecture for providing network services toat least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), comprising: a serverfor communicating with a plurality of networks; a paging circuitproviding paging requests through at least a subset of the plurality ofnetworks, the paging circuit responsive to the server; the serverresponsive to received messages from the plurality of networks, suchthat a response to a paging request a particular WTRU and received fromone of the networks provides an indication of connectivity of the WTRUthrough said one of the networks; a communication, network including anexternal voice and/or data network; and a communication circuit,communicating with the server, for communication between the externalvoice and/or data network and the WTRU through network routing whichincludes said one of the networks in response to the received responseto the paging request.
 2. The architecture of claim 1, comprising theserver providing information, regarding system status of pluralnetworks.
 3. The architecture of claim 1, wherein the external voiceand/or data network communicates with at least one of the networks inresponse to the received response to the paging request.
 4. Thearchitecture of claim 1, wherein the external voice and/or data networkincludes at least one of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) anda public data network (PDN).
 5. The architecture of claim 1, wherein anApplication Server Autonomous Access (ASAA) server provides connectivitybetween the external network and the WTRU is provided through the accessnetworks using data from the ASAA server.
 6. An architecture forproviding network services to at least one wireless transmit/receiveunit (WTRU), comprising: a server for communicating with a. plurality ofnetworks; a circuit function on the WTRU for providing an addressingmessage to the server; the server responsive to received addressingmessage from the WTRU, thereby permitting establishment of acommunications link between the WTRU and a target network through anetwork connected to the WTRU, wherein the network connected to the WTRUprovides an indication of connectivity of the WTRU; a communicationnetwork including an external voice and/or data network; and acommunication circuit, communicating with the server, for communication,between, the external, voice and/or data network and the WTRU throughnetwork routing which includes said network connected to the WTRU. 7.The architecture of claim 6, comprising the server providing informationregarding system status of plural networks.
 8. The architecture of claim6, comprising the server communicating with the WTRU through said one ofthe networks in response to the received response to a communication,request communicated to the server.
 9. The architecture of claim 6,wherein the external voice and/or data network includes at least one ofa public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a public data network(PDN).
 10. The architecture of claim 8, wherein an Application ServerAutonomous Access (ASAA) server provides connectivity between, theexternal network and the WTRU is provided, through the access networksusing data from the ASAA server.